Refrigerating apparatus



Aug. 25, 1931. Game-KEY I 1,820,012

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1927 glvwenfoz GRANVILLE S.DICKEY, F DAYTON, OHIOQASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO I FRIG-IDATRECORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWE REFRIGERATTNG APPA i The presentinvention relates to improvements in refrigerating apparatus and moreparticularly to refrigerating elements used in mechanically refrigeratedcabinets which which a refrigerating element is described,

having a large freezing chamber in which means are provided intermediateits top and bottom for supporting a removable partition which dividesthe chamber into a plurality of spaces or chambers. In accordance withthe present invention, it is an object to provide means for preventingthe unintentional or accidental removal of this partition when the trayscontaining congealed foodstuffs are withdrawn.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a mechanically refrigeratedcabinet showing the improved element mounted therein;

Fig. 2 shows a front View of the refrigerating element with the icetrays removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional 'view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2showing the lower, large freezing chamber equipped with two shallow tras;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the large freezingchamber equipped with a large tray;

Fig. 5 shows a View of theimproved separatory shelf or partition used inthe element;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of a portion of the 60 means used for locking thepartition; and

Fig. 7 illustrates the manner of locking the partition to preventaccidental removal.

In using a refrigerating element of the kind described the substances tobe congealed are placed in trays which are then pushed into sleeveswithin the device where they are subjected to the refrigerating actionof the apparatus in the well-known manner. When the congealed substancesare desired for use it is customary to remove the trays containing thesame and hold them in an inverted position under a faucet of relativelywarm water until the congealed material separates from the molds. Whenusing a sleeve adapted for holding either one large tray or a pluralityof small ones it may occur that the separatory partition used inadapting the sleeve for a plurality of trays may, under certainconditions, each as the presence of excess humidity freeze fast to thebottom of the trays. This may cause the shelves or partitions to bewithdrawn unintentionally, thus causing annoyance. In case of suchunsuspected withdrawal and premature detachment, the falling of theshelf may cause ersonal injury to the user or denting or ben ing of theshelf itself. By providing means for preventing such accidentalwithdrawal these disadvantages are obviated.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the figuresillustrate arefrigerator cabinet 20 having an impervious interior lining 21 and awall 22 heat insulated as with corkboard or the like. A verticalinternal partition 23 is suitably secured within the cabinet and dividesthe latter into a food storage compartment 24 and a cooling compartment25, a passage or flue 26 being provided for the flow of air from thecompartment 24 to compartment 25. The improved refrigerating element 30is mounted within the compartment 25.

The refrigerating element 30 for the purpose of illustrating the presentinvention includes a header 31 adapted to contain a quantity of liquidrefrigerant such as sul hur dioxide, the level of which is controlle bya float valve (not shown). Refrigerating medium is conducted to theheader 31 by 100 means of a pipe 32 and is withdrawn therefrom through apipe 33 by any suitable mechanism such for example as acompressor-condenser type of refrigerating apparatus.

Connected to the header and below the refrigerant level therein are aplurality of duct loops 35 and 36 which are preferably arranged instaggered relation. The refrigerating element thus described issubstantially the same as that shown and described in the co endingapplication of Jesse G. King, Ser al No. 666,257, filed October 3, 1923.

There is also provided a relatively deep receptacle or sleeve 40, theside walls 41 (Fig. 2) of which are secured in good thermal contact withthe inner legs of coils 35 and 36 as by soldering. These side walls areprovided with oppositely disposed shoulders or ledges 42 either solderedor welded thereto or formed integral with the side walls by stamping. Abottom wall 43 con nects the side walls 41 and provides a support for anice tray. The bottom wall 43 is preferably made integral with the sidewalls 41 whereb good thermal contact is assured between tie loops 35 and36 and the tray which is adapted to rest upon said bottom wall. Thereceptacle 40 may be closed at the top as shown by an integral top wall44 and the rear may be closed by a back wall 45, a metal sleeve beingthus formed which is adapted to receive a deep ice tray.

By the use of a separatory partition or shell as described in thecopending application of Harry B. Hull (Serial No. 196,062) abovereferred to the receptacle or sleeve 40 may also be utilized for holdinga plurality of shallow trays. This shelf or partition is indicated bythe numeral 46 in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 7 It consists preferably of a sheetof heat conducting metal such as copper which is placed upon the ledgesor shoulders 42 intermediate the top and bottom walls of the' sleeve andwhich thus divides the sleeve into two compartments, 3'? and 38 (Fig.3). It provides of course for the ready exchange of heat between thetray supported thereby and the refrigerating medium within the coils 35,36.

In order to prevent accidental withdrawal of the partition 46, means areprovided to retain it ,in place. A preferred method of accomplishingthis end is shown by way of illustration in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7. Theshelf or partition may have a bent-over rear end forming a hook 51 whichengages with a cutaway partition 52 on the ledge or shoulder 42. Infreezing water or other substances in trays placed in refrigeratingelements of this character, it is not uncommon to have the tra freeze tothe shelf, either because water is spilled on the shelf from the tray,or because moisture is conrea ers densed on the shelf. The hook.prevents accidental withdrawal of the shelf with the tray when the twoare frozen together. The hoop is placed at the back of the shelf toprevent removal of the shelf when the tray is being disengaged from theshelf. Whenever a tray is frozen in the chamber, the natural tendency ofthe user is to lift up on the tray handle to separate the tray from theshelf. In most cases the shelf is also frozen to the support and liftingof the tray may separate the tray from the shelf leaving the shelffrozen to the support. However, in the event that the shelf is separatedfrom the support and clings to the tray, the shelf still will not beaccidentally removed from the chamber, because the hook 51 still.engages the shoulders at the back ends of the ledges 42 and retains theshelf in the chamber, even though its front end is elevated. When it isdesired to remove the shelf, either with or without the tray, the handis inserted beneath the shelfand the back end lifted vertically untilthe hook is disengaged after which the shelf may be withdrawnhorizontally from the chamber. It is obvious that the retaining meansdescribed is merely illustrative and that other methods of retaining thepartition may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

From the foregoing it is apparent that a I relatively simpleconstruction has been provided for cooling either a plurality of smalltrays or one large ice tray. Small trays 47 may be placed on the shelfor partition 46 and on the bottom wall 43 of sleeve 40 as shown by thedotted lines of Fig. 2 or else one relatively deep tray 49 (see Figs. 1and 4) may be used, in which case it is placed so as to rest directlyupon the bottom wall 43, the partition 46 being removed. In either case,since the shelf 46 and the bottom wall 43 are in good thermal contactwith the refrigerating medium, the substances in either type of traywill be cooled quickly. The Walls 41, 43, 44 and 45 together with theice-tray front 49 provide an enclosure for the tray 48 and thus .shieldsame from circulating air. shallow trays are used, the fronts 50 thereoftogether with said walls of receptacle 40 serve to enclose the trays.Thus circulating air currents intended for cooling the food storagecompartment 24 will not contact with either type of tray containedwithin receptacle 40. Since the trays are shielded from the relativelywarm circulating air, the rapidity with which the substances containedtherein will congeal is increased. By means of the arrangement describedthe trays may be removed without accidentally dragging the separatoryshelf out of the sleeve.

lVhile the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a Likewise, if

Lemma preferredform it is to be understood. that other forms might beadopted, all coming within the sec of the claims which follow;

What is claimed is as follows:

'6 1. In a refrigerating element comprising a refrigerated enclosureadapted to receive trays of substances to be frozen, shelf supportingmeans therein, a shelf adapted to separate said enclosure into aplurality of smaller enclosures'eacli ada ted for receiving a tray, oneextremity 0 said shelf supporting means being notched and one end ofsaid shelf being hooked to-engage said notch, said hook and said notchbeing adapted to prevent accidental removal of said shelf when saidshelf is fastened. to said tra by freezing but permitting removal ofsaid shelf when desired by disengagement of said hook from said notch.

2. A refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising incombination a freezing enclosure adapted to receive icemakingcontainers, shelf supporting means in the enclosure, a removable shelfadapted to separate the enclosure into a plurality of compartments eachadapted to receive a container, and cooperatingvertical shoulders on theshelf and on the enclosure for preventing movement of the shelf in ahorizontal direction, said shelf being movable in a vertical directionto disengage said shoulders and permit the removal of the shelf from theenclosure in a horizontal direction.

3., A refrigerating element for refrigerating apparatus comprising incombination a sheet metal enclosure forming a chamber will adapted toreceive ice-making containers, integral ledges formed in the sides ofsaid enclosure and ada ted to support a shelf, said ledges being shorterthan the length of the enclosure to provide shoulders ad acent the endof the enclosure, a removable shelf on the ledges for separating theenclosure into a plurality o compartments each adapted to receive acontainer, said sh'elf bein bent downwardly at one end to form shou dersadapted to engage the ends of said ledges to preventmovement of theshelf in a horizontal direction.

In testimony whereof 1 hereto afix my signature GRAMUILLE S. DIGKEY.

